Compressive Creep of Kenaf Bio-Fibrous Concrete Composite Under One Dimensional Stressing

Abstract

The experiment was designed to investigate the creep of concrete specimens under one dimensional compressive principal stress. The equipment for producing the stress and the gauges for measuring the strains are described. The results of the experimental study illustrated the effects of the inclusion of Kenaf fibre and age at loading on creep signature of the concrete. Creep tests were performed in the drying room with 50±4% relative humidity. Kenaf fibres were used at 50mm fibre length and volume fractions of 0.5% by volume of mix. Results available for specimens subjected to 25 and 35% of the strength in compression were presented. The final discussion compared the effect of Kenaf fibre inclusion and age at loading of specimens subjected to compressive creep at two different stress levels. Low modulus fibrous concrete such as Kenaf bio-fibrous concrete composite demonstrated somewhat greater creep strains than the plain concrete, but the deformation behaviour shows improvement in ductility.